Quantifying 3D Tumor Microvascular Heterogeneity via Super-resolution Ultrasound Imaging to Categorize and Characterize Microvascular Subgroups in U87 Glioblastoma

Cancer treatment response has traditionally been monitored by measuring tumor volume without considering tumor microvascular heterogeneity (TMH), which is known to profoundly influence treatment outcomes. As TMH presents as distinct vascular subtypes with different functions and structures, we employed super-resolution ultrasound imaging (SRUS) to resolve various tumor vascular subgroups. The feasibility of characterizing tumor vascular subtypes in evaluating anti-angiogenic treatment was also validated. Compared with traditional vascular parameters, the evaluation of multiple vascular subtypes provides a new approach to investigating the complex vascular dynamics induced by antiangiogenic drugs. It is reasonable to believe that tumor microvascular categorization allows the identification of at-risk vascular subgroups with unfavorable functional properties. In summary, this preliminary study of SRUS in the non-invasive characterization of microvascular subtypes sheds light on personalized cancer management.